Recent Months have seen more and more Police Forces cutting back the responsibilities of their Abnormal Load Officers and insisting that all notifications are submitted by ESDLA.  Merseyside Police have now been joined by Greater Manchester, Dorset and Devon and Cornwall in this requirement. The HTA has remained resolute in our stance that this insistence in not in accordance with the STGO legislation but has been working with Highway’s England (HE) to improve ESDAL where possible for the benefit of our members and the industry.

Through HTA petitioning HE have released a form to enable the inputting of a notification and e-mailing to ESDAL rather then using the web based procedure and third party software is now able to interface with the system providing an alternative option for those who use other software providers for notifications.  Some members have reported other concerns with the system which have been highlighted to HE for resolution.